Wedding Wednesday

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Capturing Bridal details are truly some of my favorite things to photograph throughout a wedding day.  While I was planning for my very own wedding day, I knew that those little details mattered, and I went out of my way to make those small details significant.  Details could include anything like a personalized hanger for the wedding dress to hang on, jewelry laid out in an unique way, your “something borrowed” or “something blue”, putting on your earrings, or simply an image of the bottle of perfume that you’ll be wearing on the wedding day..you know…the one that he loves you wearing.

I absolutely LOVE it when my Emma Loo Brides go out of their way to bring these personal touches to their wedding days, especially during their bridal preparation.  I usually like to begin each wedding day with the Bridal Details. When I first arrive to a wedding day and after I’ve said hello and given my Emma Loo Bride a big bear hug, I usually start photographing the bridal prep details right away.  In a way, being able to spend 30-40 minutes photographing those important details gets me warmed up for the rest of the day, and gives me time to really see how I want to tell the couple’s love story behind my lens.  When my brides are trying to work out their timelines for their wedding days, I always stress that photographing the bridal details are a MUST when it comes to their wedding day coverage.  Cutting the Bridal Details short is tempting to some Brides who aren’t interested in the Bridal details or who are short on coverage time, but I strongly disagree.  It’s never a good idea to miss out on those most important photos of the day AND the warm-up time that I need to really focus and get prepped for a full day of shooting your wedding.  I usually photograph the bride and the bridesmaids getting ready for about an hour and a half or two hours before either the “First Look”, the “Father’s First Look” or the Bridesmaid Portraits.  This gives me enough time to photograph ALL of the bridal details, the candids, the Bride getting ready, and the final preparations before the Big Day begins!

Although the bridal details are so much fun to photograph, I realize that not every Emma Loo Bride has every single detail.  I think that’s what makes each wedding so much fun though.  Not every wedding is the same, and I make sure that I capture the wedding that captures the couple in the best way possible.  Here’s a little list at the most common bridal details that I shoot:

THE RINGS: Many times, my brides number one request for detail shots are of the rings.  I love these shots, simply because I can be a little creative (but VERY careful) when finding unique places to photograph those three little circles that symbolize so much.  Keep in mind that ALL THREE rings should be with the Bride or Maid/Matron of Honor while I’m photographing the bridal details, so make sure the Best Man doesn’t have it stashed away somewhere else! 

THE DRESS: Oftentimes, when I first enter a Bridal Suite, the wedding dress is still put away in its garment bag and out of the way.  Although I understand why even the most careful Brides (but really, the Mother-of-the-Brides!) do this, I always like to take the dress out of its bag and photograph the gown and all of its beauty.  Depending on the weather and the location of the Bridal Suite, I will most likely take the dress outside and this will be the very first thing I photograph.  I also love to photograph those sweet, personalized hangers, so before I start photographing, I always make sure that the dress is hanging on your very own hanger, or on a nice wooden hanger that I’ve brought with me! You’ll be surprised at the locations I’m able to get photos of the dress at.  Some brides are always asking me “How did you do that?!” when they see their gowns hanging from a high tree branch or from a chandelier.  

THE SHOES: Shoes are so much fun to photograph, because really, what woman doesn’t love a good pair of shoes?  Most of my brides actually wear flats throughout their entire day, or they’ll change their shoes immediately following the portraits.  I’ve also photographed really fancy shoes that Brides haven’t even worn before or tried to break in and chose comfort over those heels instead.  How funny is that!? And honestly, quite creative! Flats, heels, sandals, boots, and even tennis shoes…I’ve photographed them all!

JEWELRY: I’ll tell my Emma Loo Brides to not put on their jewelry until after they’ve put on their dress.  This will give me enough time to photograph their special pieces of jewelry that they’ll wear on their wedding day.  

KEEPSAKES:  Making sure that I capture those special keepsakes that are important to your Big Day is one of my top priorities.  These details can include family heirlooms, handkerchief, “something borrowed…something blue”, or jewelry that has been passed down from generations.  

PAPER: Invitations and other stationary.  I really like it when Brides will send me an actual invitation and ceremony program in a folder in the mail.  This will give me time to photograph these paper items after your wedding day in my studio with things that I’ve collected throughout your day to help me tell your wedding day story.  If we can’t do it that way, I’ll photograph the stationary while getting the rest of the bridal details. 

VEIL & HEADPIECES: I love using the veil as a backdrop or shoot through some of the other bridal details. 

GIFTS: This can simply be gifts exchanged by the Bride and Groom, or gifts for the rest of the Bridal party.  I also make sure that I capture any little notes or cards exchanged by the Bride and Groom.  

PERFUME: 

BOUQUETS: If you’re planning on shooting any portraits before the wedding ceremony or participating in a ‘First Look’, which I recommend for all my Emma Loo Brides and Grooms, then make sure your bouquets and bouts get delivered to the bridal suite where you’ll be getting ready.  

BRIDESMAID DRESSES: Just like the Bride’s wedding dress, the bridesmaid dresses are important garments as well.  These are the dresses that will be worn by the Bride’s very best friends and family members, and they also help display the overall theme or color scheme of the wedding day.  

GARTER: Sometimes, this is the special detail that isn’t thought about much by the bride or her bridesmaids.  I always think the garter is a sexy way to capture your bridal details, and will probably melt your Groom’s heart when he sees it! 

MAKEUP: Getting your makeup done and feeling pampered throughout your Big Day is one of the reasons why all of my Emma Loo Brides feel so special on their wedding days.  I highly suggest hiring a professional to do your hair and makeup.  I typically do not photograph any Bride or bridesmaid until 90% of their makeup is applied, so I usually photograph the other bridal details while the Bride’s makeup is being done.  To save time and for those Brides who are limited in the amount of photography coverage, sometimes even the makeup application is “faked” and we just pretend putting on makeup! Hey, whatever works, right?! 

I really hope this helps all of you brides out there as you plan for your perfect wedding day! XO! -Emma Loo